Many names immediately suggest familiar faces, which you can name any
time, anywhere. You often compare the strangers you meet with them and
note the similarities. Constant repetition has fixed these faces so
thoroughly in mind that there will be no confusion in naming them. You
pass a stranger on the street and some one says: "How much that man
looks like Lincoln," and you reply, "Yes, but Lincoln was taller and
did not have such large eyes, and his nose was entirely different in
shape. And Lincoln's mouth was fuller, too, not so thin and straight."
This comparison is possible, because of the clear, definite picture
which has been formed in your mind of President Lincoln.
These familiar faces which you can recall so definitely in your mind's
eye will be of wonderful assistance in remembering strangers by the
same name. Practice with this picture as Mr. Grant. His face may be
strange to you, but the name immediately suggests a familiar face.
Now see these two faces in the same picture, see the familiar face
looking over the face of the stranger, see them meeting, shaking hands,
talking, laughing. Exaggerated, moving, unusual pictures are best. See
the familiar faces clearly as possible, and compare the two; one is
tall and the other short, one dark the other light, one has a beard and
the other has not, etc. All comparison helps to make the mind's eye
picture more definite and to strengthen the associated picture through
prolonged attention.
[Illustration]